A poignant reminder that today is of one of the most important dates in British History although you might find it hard to find in too many school history books or featuring in the media. 18 people were killed and over 650 injured cut down by the sabres of the cavalry. It was a peaceful protesting picnic with families turning out on St Peter’s Field, a surprisingly high number of women were present.

It arguably led to us all getting the vote and the birth of the Manchester Guardian that has enhanced our press reporting. Shelley’s poem “Masque of Anarchy” on the event wasn’t allowed to be published until 1832 10 years after the poet died.

A wonderful morning today out by the Severn doing our monthly bird survey. The Bore also came up while we were out which is always magical. We had some great spots as the migration has already started. A Whinchat (see Gordon’s picture below) was only the second we have seen in five years of doing the survey. We were entranced by a family of five Kestrels hovering on the river edge, they were soon joined by two Buzzards, 6 Ravens and a Sparrowhawk which we found rather bizarre. One stage the two Buzzards were on the ground circled by the Ravens (also on the ground) like a wagon train in the old Westerns. Martins, Swallows and a Swift were all on the move. To finish off we saw the female Marsh Harrier as we made our way back.

Played for the County Seniors against Oxfordshire on Tuesday which we won comfortably and my batting was not needed!

Went to see the film of today’s title on Friday. Delightful feel good type of film featuring songs of The Boss (Springsteen) and the Town of my football team Luton. Obviously recognised locations and the music! The racism in the film reminded me of my growing up about 15 years before the time of the film. I had many friends from ethnic backgrounds and it was painful to witness what they went through. I remember us running for our lives on a couple of occasions from a  groups of skinheads out to attack anyone that was different.

Talking of Luton I went to watch them at Cardiff on Saturday, I went by train and thoroughly enjoyed the journey down by the Severn being on the other side from home! The football was going well and looked like we had earned a well deserved point until the 95th minute sucker punch!!!

We were pleased to see a Nuthatch in the garden last week you don’t see many in Frampton. A beautiful male Sparrowhawk was sitting on our fence yesterday. All the garden birds had dived for cover.

I met my fellow Two Severn Bores collaborator last week to plan our theme for 2020 gigs. So now have to get down to writing!

Training hard for next month’s cycling adventure through Wales.

I am still scratching my head over how England lost the first Test! When I blogged after Friday I thought we were on course to win, shows how little I know!

I’ve been busy playing cricket over the last few days and thoroughly enjoyed it and body has stood up well!

Anyone coming to our cycle teas on Sunday 11th (you don’t have to cycle) at Wick Court we will now be outside near the Round House sadly we can’t get into the building as I mentioned in a past blog. Apologies if you thought you might get a chance to see the inside. However, wonderful cakes and bacon butties will be served and the funds raised support Wick Court.

Sorry hardly any Story Telling in this blog it is mainly sport!

I had a wonderful Friday at Edgbaston yesterday I was in the Hollies Stand which was fun and it lived up to it’s reputation for being lively and raucous. I knew our Peter was also in the Hollies so Clare sent him a message that his Dad had left in a bright red dress and red lipstick-he fell for it! (I didn’t but maybe next year!) It was proper Test Match “Ashes” cricket and I was thoroughly absorbed in the contest. Coming home I was keeping up to date with Luton’s first game back in Division 2 (it is now called the Championship). I got back just before Half Time and what a great advert for this level football. I will be watching them at Cardiff next Saturday.

I am meeting Dan (my fellow Two Severn Bore) to plan next year’s stories and music so will give you a hint of our potential performance direction in the near future.

Today’s title is because I’ve just been listening to Billy Bragg’s version of the classic Leon Rosselson song. It seems appropriate on so many levels! I did think about “The Emperor’s New Clothes” as the title which might also be apt. Enough of that political thought!

I’ve been busy putting together ideas for the next Two Severn Bores project. At the moment I need to focus on one theme I have several on the go! So mind all over the place!

I have just got back from an abortive journey to Surrey to play cricket but surprise, surprise the weather intervened. I have actually been playing quite a bit of cricket over the last couple of weeks. Friday I will be at Edgbaston  for the Ashes so fingers crossed the weather gods are kind! It does mean I won’t be able to get to the Mighty Hatters first game that evening.

Yes The Bard’s play for today’s title. On that amazingly hot day we were at the RSC Stratford to see a production of “As You Like It”. A great energetic retelling of the play full of verve and humour. Couldn’t believe the temperature on the dashboard as we drove back.

Enjoying watching the Tour de France it has been a really exciting race and today’s stage had a bizarre ending (no spoilers!)

Another Springsteen song title and this is a fairly recent one. Just thought we needed another summer/sunshine title with this heat wave.

We are currently looking after a four legged friend “Jake” so we need to get out early for our walks in the interests of the dog and his walker! He is a delight. A picture at the bottom of the blog of him sitting on my lap.

Had a lovely couple of days on the bike watching cricket-one was another day with old friends at the Cheltenham Festival, the other was watching the Glos Old Men. Talking of cricket I have been playing regularly on Saturdays and took a sharp catch in our last game was fined for fielding like a 30 year old (don’t mind those fines!)

I thought the  Waterboys song might be appropriate as we almost are spot on for the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing. I do remember watching on our black and white TV-always seemed to snow on TV in those days! Watching the programmes this week you realised the mood of optimism that was everywhere at the end of the 60s, a real contrast with today’s moods around the globe.

I managed to cycle to Cheltenham on Tuesday for the cricket festival-the cricket was a real contrast to Sunday’s marvellous game-this was old fashioned county cricket!

Had a delightful bird survey on Thursday morning highlights included a Peregrine, 34 Avocets on the river, and a Yellow Wagtail going back and forth from a nest.

Last night saw this Little Owl close to the church. Lovely birds!

Beat that! What a marvellous match on Sunday, I don’t think that can ever be surpassed for a sporting event that plays with your emotions in such a way! The tension was unbearable as the game ebbed one way and then another. I felt exhausted at the end and I missed half the match because I was doing cycling teas at Wick Court and surprise, surprise we were not that busy with all the sport that was on! If you want to eat home made cakes our next teas are on Sunday 11th August and because there are no children you can even get to look around the house (well worth it)-you don’t have to cycle there!

Now finished Story Telling for a while so hopefully I can learn some new stories and maybe get some writing done!